Welcome to The Chronicle’s live breaking news blog for Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

Here are our regular updates throughout the day of all the breaking news and sport from across the North East.

We will have pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Newcastle and North East traffic, weather forecasts, crime and council news too.

It's Kathryn Riddell here on the blog for today and I'll take you through the day's events to keep you updated on what’s going on across the region including the latest on the roads for the rush-hour and any breaking news incidents that occur.

You can contribute to the live blog by getting in touch with me to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

'Murdered in campaign of merciless violence'

Vulnerable Lee Irving was allegedly murdered in a ‘truly shocking’ campaign of ‘merciless’ violence during which he was prevented from seeking urgently-needed medical help, a court heard.

The 24-year-old, who had profound learning difficulties, is said to have been killed by housemates James Wheatley and Barry Imray with kicks, stamps and punches, which both accused deny.

Prosecutors say Lee suffered 27 separate rib fractures and multiple other injuries which would have “caused him the most severe degree of prolonged pain”.

It is also alleged that Wheatley’s mother, Julie Mills, and his then-girlfriend, Nicole Lawrence, caused or allowed Lee’s death then helped try to cover up the killing at a house in Kenton Bar, Newcastle. They deny the charges.

House of Tides retains it Michelin star

The Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide 2017 stars were awarded today and Kenny’s House of Tides remains the only Newcastle restaurant to be given a star.

Proud Geordie Kenny, who started out on a fruit and vegetable stall in the Grainger Market more than 20 years ago, told the Chronicle he was “relieved and proud” to have retained the star, first given to House of Tides a year ago, less than 18 months after it opened.

Kenny and his wife Abbie opened The House of Tides in the restored historic Buttress House on the quayside at the start of 2014. Together they styled a restaurant with an emphasis on great ambience and great food, using the best North East ingredients and served up without the usual fine dining formality.

And the Michelin Star proves, he once said, “we must be doing something right”.

21:01Tom Eden

DeAndre Yedlin on his move from Sunderland to Newcastle

DeAndre Yedlin is eyeing a long-term future in the North East – and says that working under Rafa Benitez has been “unbelievable”.

Yedlin represented a pretty typical Benitez summer signing: full of potential, joining with something to prove and willing to work hard for a manager who wanted to clear the dressing room of the cynicism that had harmed it in previous seasons.

While far from the finished article, his pace and raw talent were seen as assets to work with. United had attempted to broker a move for Everton’s Brendan Galloway, but that broke down and Newcastle opted instead for a permanent signing who they could mould into a senior player.

Newcastle nightlife gallery

Were you and your friends out on the Toon at the weekend? Did you pose for a snap?

Take a look at our gallery from some of Newcastle’s most popular bars and nightclubs:

NUFCTom Eden

Players doing double sessions as they prepare for Brentford

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez kept his squad members who are not away on international duty busy today during a training session at Benton.

Newcastle players warm up in the gym (Image: 2016 Newcastle United)

In total, 11 first team players are representing their countries, but that gives Benitez the opportunity to work closer with those who have stayed behind.

Notable names away with their national sides include Chancel Mbemba, Matz Sels, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Mo Diame among others.

But plenty of the Toon’s big stars this season are still on Tyneside such as Dwight Gayle, Ayoze Perez and Vurnon Anita.

Those who are still in the region were involved in today’s training session which included work in the gym, including weight lifting, as well as work on the pitches as Benitez gives some players a head start in preparations for the Magpies’ next league match against Brentford at St James’ Park on October 15.

Flick through the gallery above to see Newcastle United’s non-internationals been put through their paces by Rafa Benitez. The video below is a detailed look at which players are on international duty and where in the world they will be travelling over the next few days.

20:15Tom Eden

How North East villages, towns and cities got their names

Have you ever wondered how your village, town or city got its name?

The reasons vary from the fanciful like identifying where Bison used to roam; the sinister with talk of a murder path; to the mundane - Wallsend is pretty self-explanatory.

However, all give a fascinating historical insight into what the area was known for in days gone by.

Court shown South Shields dad's final moments on CCTV

A dad’s final moments were captured on CCTV when he was attacked inside a Tyneside pub.

Ronnie Howard was out drinking with his partner and friends in The Prince Edward pub, on Prince Edward Road, South Shields, when he was punched and kicked and knocked to the floor.

A court heard that the 31-year-old died within minutes, if not seconds, after the attack, from which he suffered a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage - bleeding on the brain caused by a rupture of an artery.

Michael Wilson, 35, of Hylton Avenue, South Shields, was arrested soon after and charged with Mr Howard’s murder.

At an earlier court hearing, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter by admitting that he assaulted Mr Howard but denied murder on the grounds he never intended to cause any serious harm.

Cyclist in hospital after Blaydon crash

A cyclist has been taken to hospital after a collision with a driver in a car on the Blaydon Highway.

The crash happened at the Bridge Street roundabout in rush hour.

A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said:

“We were called to a road traffic accident involving a car and a cyclist.

“We sent one ambulance and took a patient to the RVI.”

(Image: NECA Traffic)

18:56Tom Eden

Tonight's weather forecast

It should be a dry, but quite cold evening, according to the Met Office:

Remaining dry overnight with some clear spells, although tending to turn cloudier by dawn. It will also feel rather chilly, especially inland.

However, coastal areas could stay a little milder, with the onshore breeze persisting.

Minimum Temperature 7 °C.

(Image: Met Office)

18:50Tom Eden

Paul Gascoigne's 'no-show' at sportsman's dinner

Troubled former Toon legend Paul Gascoigne could end up in court again after his no-show up at an ‘evening with Gazza’ event.

(Image: Rui Vieira/PA Wire)

Organiser Tony Robinson said he has been left out of pocket and is taking legal advice after Gazza failed to turn up leaving scores of fans who paid £65 for tickets disappointed.

Mr Robinson said:

“I had to pay a deposit to his management which I’ve lost, I had to pay for the venue and the money Paul would have been paid all went towards the refunds.

“His management have not contacted me, it’s all about respect and so I’m going to seek legal advice to see what can be done.”

Mr Robinson said he had to cancel the evening with Paul Gascoigne event just 10 minutes before he was due on stage at the Marton Hotel and Country Club on Thursday night.

18:44Tom Eden

Grass fire in Jesmond

Grass has been set alight in Jemond Dene, firefighters say:

18:43Tom Eden

Guess who's back?

Last time he quit as UKIP leader, he lasted 3 days before resuming the role.

Now, it’s been 18 days since Diane James was elected UKIP leader to succed him. Now she’s gone and guess who’s back?

Yep.*

Nigel Farage? Nope, never heard of him. Does he have a moustache?

*Farage is now technically ‘interim’ leader and there’s expected to be another election.

18:32Tom Eden

East Boldon crossing stuck down

The crossing at East Boldon is broken and is stuck down:

18:29Tom Eden

Blaydon crash now cleared

Here’s the view of the Bridge Street roundabout at the Blaydon Highway and the crash has now been cleared:

18:16Tom Eden

Bus delays

Buses, and presumably other motorists, are being delayed by the collision:

18:08Tom Eden

Tailbacks due to crash

There’s congestion backed up on the Blaydon Highway caused by the crash:

18:08KEY EVENT

Blaydon Highway crash latest

There’s an ambulance at the scene and police are directing traffic:

18:04Tom Eden

Teen terrorising as a clown

A teenage boy armed with a knife has been issued a police warning in connection with a clown “prank” to scare passers-by in Newcastle .

The 13-year-old was arrested on Tuesday night (October 4) in Blakelaw and taken into custody by Northumbria Police officers, who also seized a knife he had been carrying as part of the fancy dress costume.

The youngster was questioned overnight and on Wednesday been released from custody and given a warning about his behaviour.

Grant Urquhart, neighbourhood sergeant, said:

“Carrying out these type of pranks may seem harmless but they can be very upsetting to the people they are targeting.

“We are taking this seriously and I hope that anyone planning on copying this behaviour should know that we will arrest you and you will spend a night in custody.

“We have made it very clear to the teenager arrested this behaviour is unacceptable.”

A clown (Image: Robin Lynne Gibson)

18:03Tom Eden

Breakdown on the A1 clear

A breakdown had been blocking a lane of the A1 but this is now clear:

17:57Tom Eden

Picture of the crash scene

Here’s the crash scene from the traffic cameras:

(Image: NECA Traffic)

17:57Tom Eden

Crash in Blaydon

There has been a crash in Blaydon - on the A695Blaydon Highway roundabout at Bridge Street, on the western side of the roundabout.

It’s blocking access to the B6317.

17:43Tom Eden

Homeless turn chefs at top restaurant

From the streets to the kitchen, these former homeless men are turning their lives around.

Five volunteers have just nine days to prepare a three to four-course meal for 50 people at Blackfriars restaurant in Newcastle next Friday.

They will learn the skills essential to preparing, cooking and serving in a top eatery and walk away with the skills to hopefully secure them a job.

The volunteers were recruited by Changing Lives, an organisation that works with people on the streets and helps them recover from various forms of addiction to get them back on their feet.

Bats to get homes in Newcastle

Towers built by a university especially for bats will provide the creatures with des res accommodation.

Flying Brown Long-eared Bat

Two purpose-built bat barns have been built on top of towers ahead of the start of construction work for Newcastle University’s £75 million Park View Student Village accommodation in Richardson Road.

The bat houses have been designed to blend in with the landscaping and existing trees within the site.

Solar panels have also been included to provide heating for areas of the roofs to encourage use as a maternity roost for the bats.

Earlier this year, ahead of development, an ecology survey was carried out at Richardson Road where it was found that the site was an active area for bats, primarily in terms of roosting, maternity roosting, commuting and foraging.

The maternity roosts host a colony of up to 200 pipistrelle bats, a significant number for the area.

Now the university has provided 20 bat boxes, 10 large multi chambered bat boxes on poles, nine bat boxes in crevices in other accommodation and the two large bat barns.